Victim Assistance Program
General Information
The Victim Assistance Program is a specialized unit within the Investigations Division of the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office. We recognize that being impacted by crime can lead to emotional, physical, and psychological challenges, such as injury, loss, confusion, and disruption to daily life. It’s not uncommon to experience a range of emotions, including shock, disbelief, fear, vulnerability, anger, or frustration.
Having clear information and support throughout the criminal justice process can be empowering. Our trained Victim Advocates are here to help victims navigate this complex system and connect you with immediate and ongoing support services. We provide trauma-informed, culturally responsive care that respects your individual experiences, values, and needs. We are a victim-centered program dedicated to supporting your healing and safety.
Contact Information
Phone
(719) 520-7078
Email
shrvap@elpasoco.com
Address
El Paso County Sheriff’s Office
Attention: Victim Assistance Program
27 East Vermijo Avenue
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
El Programa de Asistencia a Víctimas también provee servicios en Español, por favor llámenos y/o envíenos un email con sus preguntas o comentarios.
Eligibility
Victim assistance services are available to individuals who have been impacted by crimes covered under Colorado Revised Statutes 24-4.1-302. These include a wide range of crimes, and they must have occurred within the jurisdictions served by the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, the City of Fountain Police Department, Manitou Springs Police Department, and the townships of Monument, Calhan, and Palmer Lake Police Departments.
If you would like more information about the Colorado Victims’ Rights Act and your rights as a victim, please CLICK HERE.
Victim Services
Our services are personalized to meet each victim’s unique needs and are provided without discrimination based on age, race, gender, religion, or background. Participation is entirely voluntary—you have the right to accept or decline any services:
- 24/7 crisis response, safety planning, and on-call support.
- Information on the Colorado’s Victim Rights Act (VRA).
- Help with Crime Victim Compensation applications Compensation Fund.
- Referrals to community organizations and resources, and assistance in obtaining protection orders.
- Arrangement of interpretation services for victims with limited English proficiency
- Guidance and support throughout the investigation, along with education on the criminal justice process.
- Guidance on U-Visa Certification information.
- Arrangements of interpretation services for victims with limited English proficiency.
- Among other services and resources as needed in case-by-case basis.
- Additional resources based on individual needs
Helpful Resources
- Helping Hands El Paso County Community Resources
- Colorado’s 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office – Victim Advocacy – FAQs.
- El Paso County Judicial Building.
- Information on Protection Orders.
- Colorado Legal Services – provides Legal services for low-income individuals and members of vulnerable populations in Colorado.
- Colorado Crisis Services offers free, confidential, and immediate support for individuals experiencing mental health, substance use, or emotional crisis.
- TESSA Confidential services to victims of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault.
- Crisalida is a resource and support to Hispanic, Latino/a/x, and other persons of color struggling with complex trauma, domestic violence, and abuse.
- Haseya Advocate Program Native woman-led organization that serves Indigenous survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
- Kid Power Personal safety and violence prevention education to children ages 3-18 and families.
- Housing Help and Resources.
- Senior information and assistance directory for the Pikes Peak Region.
- The Independence Center – Working with people with disabilities, their families.
Victim Assistance Volunteer Program
If you are interested in applying to become a volunteer victim advocate with El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Victim Assistance Program, please call the Victim Assistance Program Supervisor Pamela Mancini at 719-520-7272 or email the program at shrvap@elpasoco.com. The classes are generally held every year and are approximately 80 hours in length.
Click HERE for more information on volunteering in other areas within the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.
We Value Your Feedback
Your responses help us measure the effectiveness of the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Victim Assistance Program and support our grant reporting. Your input is important and helps us improve services for crime victims in El Paso County. Please take a few moments to complete this survey and help us improve our services to crime victims. Thank you for your feedback!
U-Visas
Through the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act (VTVPA) of 2000, Congress created the U Visa (U non-immigrant classification) to provide legal status to victims of specified crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and are helpful in the investigation or prosecution of the criminal act. The U Visa provides eligible crime victims with nonimmigrant status the ability to temporarily remain in the United States while assisting law enforcement.
Who is eligible for a U Visa? The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) may find an applicant eligible for a U Visa if the applicant:
- Is the direct or indirect victim of qualifying criminal activity.
- Has suffered substantial physical or mental abuse as a result of having been a victim of criminal activity.
- Has been helpful, is helpful, or is likely to be helpful to a Federal, State, or local prosecutor, to a Federal or State judge, to USCIS, or to other Federal, State, or local authorities investigating or prosecuting criminal activity; and
- The criminal activity violated the laws of the United States or occurred in the U.S. or the territories and possessions of the United States.
- Additional information can be found through the USCIS HERE
Para asistencia e información en relación con U Visas, por favor comuníquese con la Supervisora del Programa de Asistencia a Víctimas Pamela Mancini al 719-520-7272.
U Visa Certification Requests
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office is committed to reviewing U Visa certification requests for victims of qualifying crimes investigated by our agency. If you are a nonimmigrant victim, you or your representative may email the I-918 Supplement B form to shrvap@elpasoco.com or mail it to: Victim Assistance Program, 27 E Vermijo Ave. Colorado Springs, CO 80903
To learn about updates to the program, visit our U Nonimmigrant Status Program Updates page.
Colorado Sex Assault Kit Tracking System (COSAK)
HB 23-1199 was signed on May 25, 2023. This law requires the Department of Public Safety to develop and maintain a statewide system by June 30, 2025, allowing victims to monitor the status of their sexual assault evidence collection kits (SANE kits).
If you’re a survivor, you can check the status of your Sexual Assault Evidence (SAFE) kit online.
Here’s how:
- Visit the Colorado tracking portal at https://trackit.colorado.gov/
- Enter your SAFE kit number.
- View real-time updates on your kit’s progress.
Important:
The Track It system is a sexual assault exam tracking system that allows sexual assault victims, SAFE/medical providers, law enforcement, and forensic labs to locate forensic nurse exam (FNE) medical records. This online system only covers kits processed on or after July 1, 2025. If your kit was submitted before this date—or if you’ve misplaced your SAFE Kit number—please contact our victim assistance program directly for assistance.
If you would like more information about your rights as a sexual assault survivor, resources, and how to navigate the Track It system, please click HERE.